Footy tips: North or Carlton?

2011 Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan will miss the next month of football after injuring his foot during last Sunday's defeat to Essendon.

Collingwood star Swan has hurt the plantar fascia in his left foot. He appeared to be hindered during the thumping at the hands of the Bombers, and was restricted to 20 disposals in an underwhelming performance.

“We think Swannie can still be a strong contributor this season but in the short term it is clear that he needs to heal, get his foot right and reclaim that burst speed which has been such a feature of his game,” Magpies football manager Rodney Eade said in a statement released on Thursday afternoon.

Dabe Swan: Injuries are dogging the Magpie star. Photo: Getty Images

Swan has played 15 of the 16 games so far this year, and while his form has been patchy, he is still averaging 25 disposals per game in 2014. He endured glandular fever prior to the season, as well as undergoing wrist surgery.

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The three-time Copeland Trophy winner has been remarkably durable, playing no fewer than 21 games in any completed season since 2006.

Swan was hopeful he could still play a role in the finals.

Dane Swan was in full flight on Anzac day. Photo: Getty Images

"It’s on the foot underneath, so it’s not pleasant. I’m going to have a spell and try and get myself better and make an impact in the last couple of games, hopefully. Hopefully we sneak into the finals and I can make an impact there because I haven’t made one yet," he told radio station Triple M.

Swan said he had hampered in recent months.

"I’ve obviously had little ailments and little niggles all year, but none of them have been major enough to keep me out of games. I still believed I could make an positive impact on the side, and I haven’t done that to the best of my ability. I expect a lot more of myself and I just haven’t been able to do that for some reason this year."

"I just needed a rest and the plantar fascia thing popped up and it will give someone else a go. Hopefully we can win a couple of games while I’m out and hopefully I can squeeze back in with a couple of games to go and make a positive impact."

Collingwood has lost four of its past five games, leaving their place in the top eight in jeopardy. They next face fellow finals contender Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday week, with games against Port Adelaide (MCG), West Coast (Patersons Stadium) and the Brisbane Lions (MCG) to follow.

The Pies were dealt a blow on Wednesday when former captain and defender Nick Maxwell announced his immediate retirement after sustaining an ankle in the match against the Bombers.

However the Pies appear likely to regain key position utility Ben Reid after he emerged unscathed from last Saturday's VFL game against Werribee. Reid has not played an AFL game since last year's elimination final defeat to Port Adelaide.

Small forward Jamie Elliott is also listed as available, and midfielder Tim Broomhead will come under notice after a 35-possession effort for the Collingwood VFL team. Other senior selection options include tall defender Lachie Keefe, young ruckman Brodie Grundy, and flanker Alex Fasolo.

-with Emma Quayle

23 comments so far

In current form, we won't miss the great man. Put him on ice (frozen water that is!) and see you next year Swanny.

Commenter

Blackynth

Date and time

July 17, 2014, 2:58PM

I agree. Great opportunity now for one of the young guys.

Commenter

Macca

Location

Sunbury

Date and time

July 17, 2014, 3:23PM

Hey Petra, how are those five premierships this decade looking now?

Commenter

Catherine

Date and time

July 17, 2014, 3:32PM

Careful... The Swans might be blamed for this too.

Commenter

Brock

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

July 17, 2014, 4:47PM

Brock - please refer to the swans as the Sydney Swans - ie: they are Sydney, not the bloods or the swans, they have no ties to Melbourne anymore.

Commenter

Jo

Location

Burwood

Date and time

July 17, 2014, 5:39PM

so true jo, best way to wind up a Sydney swans supporter in Melbourne is to remind them they are Sydney and Sydney only, they continue to live in denial

Commenter

jim

Location

preston

Date and time

July 17, 2014, 7:17PM

Well Jo you can still call the swans the bloods or just as the former. FYI the bloods culture actually became apparent in the Paul Kelly era. It started with the dark days of the early nineties when the swans future was looking pretty bleak. The playing squad came together and said that they'd had enough of being laughed at, the rest is history. But even though the swans are "proudly sydney" as the swans slogan states today, we're a pretty welcoming mob up here at moore park. Good people are always welcome as swans members be it based in melbourne or sydney. Petra and Eddie are banned, however, we don't tolerate foolishness if we can help it.

Commenter

phil

Location

sydney

Date and time

July 17, 2014, 9:02PM

Two Cities, One Team. With about 10,000 members in Melbourne, a full time Melbourne office, and SMFC on the jersey, there are plenty of ties between the Sydney Swans and Melbourne. But nice diversion from Collingwood's issues, oh toothless ones: they will be very lucky to win 5 Premierships this century. I mean, they've only won 4 in the past 78 years. That'd be fine for strugglers like South Melbourne, but for the mighty Pies? That is a disgraceful yield.

Commenter

Hannebery's Tongue

Location

Burwood NSW

Date and time

July 17, 2014, 11:07PM

@Jim and Jo. The Swans and the Lions still have a great supporter base in Melbourne. They are the ones who turn up to the games when played in Melbourne. Get over yourselves!